Jenner, Canadian women's hockey team enjoy 2-0 start at Olympics

Men's hockey starts Thursday

Jenner, Canadian women's hockey team enjoy 2-0 start at Olympics

Andrew Francis Wallace - Toronto Star

Oakville's Brianne Jenner (in red, pictured in recent exhibition action against the United States) and the Canadian women's hockey team will face the U.S. Wednesday at the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. Jenner recorded nine shots in Canada's first two contests at the Games, both victories.

Oakville’s Brianne Jenner was held pointless in the first two games of Olympic women’s hockey action, but it wasn’t for lack of trying.

The Appleby College grad fired a total of nine shots at opposing goaltenders in Canada’s first two contests at the Winter Games in Sochi, ranking fifth on the team in attempts. Canada won both of those matches, 5-0 over Switzerland to open preliminary-round play Saturday and 3-0 over Finland Monday.

Canada is slated to face its biggest rival, the United States, Wednesday in a game that will determine the first-place finisher in Group A. Canada and the U.S. are already guaranteed byes to the semifinals, which will be played Monday. Medal games are scheduled for Feb. 21.

Tavares likely on fourth line

According to several reports, Oakville’s John Tavares will likely center Canada’s fourth line when the national men’s hockey team plays its first game Thursday against Norway.

The New York Islanders sniper has practiced on a line with Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars and Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins.

Tavares, a former St. Thomas Aquinas high school student, ranks third in NHL scoring this season with 66 points in 59 games.

Canadian women's curlers start strong

The Canadian women’s curling team, which includes Oakville resident Kirsten Wall, cruised to victories in its first two games.

Canada defeated China 9-3 in its first game of the round-robin schedule, then downed Sweden 9-3 in its second contest.

Wall, an alternate on the Jennifer Jones-skipped rink, did not play in either game.

The United States rink, skipped by Erika Brown, dropped its first two games to Switzerland (7-4) and Russia (9-7). Brown is a Wisconsin native who has lived in Oakville for nearly 10 years.

Canada and the United States are scheduled to face each other Feb. 16, the second-last day of round-robin action.